From a homily by Saint John ChrysostomMake known to us, Lord, the one you chooseIn those days, Peter, stood up in the midst of the disciples and said… As the fiery spirit to whom the flock was entrusted by Christ and as the leader in the band of the apostles, Peter always took the initiative in speaking: My brothers, we must choose from among our number. He left the decision to the whole body, at once augmenting the honor of those elected and avoiding any suspicion of partiality. For such great occasions can easily lead to trouble.Did not Peter then have the right to make the choice himself? Certainly he had the right, but he did not want to give the appearance of showing special favor to anyone. Besides he was not yet endowed with the Spirit.And they nominated two, we read, Joseph, who was called Barsabbas and surnamed Justus, and Matthias. He himself did not nominate them; all present did. But it was he who brought the issue forward, pointing out that it was not his own idea but had been suggested to him by a scriptural prophecy. So he was speaking not as a teacher but as an interpreter.So, he goes on, we must choose from those men who lived in our company. Notice how insistent he is that they should be eyewitnesses. Even though the Spirit would come to ratify the choice, Peter regards this prior qualification as most important.Those who lived in our company, to continue the passage, all through the time when the Lord Jesus came and went among us. He refers to those who had dwelt with Jesus, not just those who had been his disciples. For of course from the very beginning many had followed him. Notice how it is written that Peter himself was one of the two who had listened to John, and followed Jesus.All through the time when the Lord Jesus came and went among us, to continue further, beginning with the baptism of John – rightly so, because no one knew what had happened before that time, although they were to know of it later through the Spirit.Up to the day, Peter added, on which he was taken up from us – one of these must be made a witness along with us of his resurrection. He did not say “a witness of the rest of his actions” but only a witness of the resurrection. That witness would be more believable who could declare that he who ate and drank and was crucified also rose from the dead. He needed to be a witness not of the times before or after that event, and not of the signs and wonders, but only of the resurrection itself. For the rest happened by general admission, openly; but the resurrection took place secretly, and was known to these men only.And they all prayed together, saying: You, Lord, know the hearts of men; make your choice known to us. You, not we. Appropriately they said that he knew the hearts of men, because the choice was to be made by him, not by others.They spoke with such confidence, because someone had to be appointed. They did not say “choose” but make known to us the chosen one; the one you choose, they said, fully aware that everything was preordained by God.They then drew lots. For they did not think themselves worthy to make the choice of their own accord, and therefore they wanted some sign for their instruction.(www.divineoffice.org)

“Like Christ himself, the apostles were unceasingly bent upon bearing witness to the truth of God. They showed special courage in speaking ‘the word of God with boldness’ (Acts 4:31) before the people and their rulers. With a firm faith they held that the gospel is indeed the power of God unto salvation for all who believe.... They followed the example of the gentleness and respectfulness of Christ” (Vatican II, Declaration on Religious Freedom, 11).

"The person poor in spirit calls upon God's mercy without knowing how much alms he will receive from God. He does not know whom God will use or by what means He will implement His support. Such a person only knows to expect everything from God, for He is that person's only reliance." (God Alone Suffices, Third Edition, pg. 131)

Not that they became apostles through being chosen for some distinguished peculiarity of nature, since also Judas was chosen along with them. But they were capable of becoming apostles on being chosen by Him who foresees even ultimate issues. Matthias, accordingly, who was not chosen along with them, on showing himself worthy of becoming an apostle, is substituted for Judas.(Clement of Alexandria)

Author

Fr. Neil Buchlein, Pastor St. Mary Queen of Heaven Madison, WV

St. Joseph the WorkerWhitesville, WV

The world is like a river of which we drinkbut our sins pollute the waterAnd now the river is flooded so we must buildand ark of faith and trust in divine providenceI was in a room of darkness it wasn'tenough to open the window for airI had to unlock the door so I searched forthe key and what I found wasOur Lady of Medugorje saying to:

Me and my brothers and sisters we were strugglingbetween heaven and hellWe found it hard to understand how we gotsunk into a spiral of negative and demonic spellsSo we went on a pilgrimage searching for healingat the heavenly wellsWe came across a wise man telling us children it's verysimple, conversion, mass the sacraments and

Chorus

Oh we've got to pray, pray pray pray,pray pray pray for a happier day

Need a childlike faith to enter into heaven'til the harvesters come don't be afraid

We all have our crosses to carry if we carrythem humbly there's no need to worryIf we forgive we'll be forgiven then ourpurified hearts will feel thepresence of God's eternal love burn insideI ain't no religious expert but I don't have tobe to know that God ain't illusionI'm testifying what I witness 'cause a faithwithout acts is a dead faith that's whyI wrote this song so we can

Chorus

Oh we've got to pray, pray pray pray,pray pray pray for a happier day

Pray pray pray for a happier dayGot to pray for a better dayPray pray pray for a happier dayGot to pray for a better dayPray pray pray for a happier dayGot to pray for a better dayPray pray pray for a happier dayGot to pray for a better dayPray pray pray for a happier day

Let us not close our hearts, let us not lose confidence,let us never give up: there are no situations which God cannot change.Pope Francis

"God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have a mission; I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons; He has not created me for naught. I shall do good—I shall do his work. I shall be an angel of peace while not intending it if I do but keep his commandments. Therefore, I will trust him." Blessed John Cardinal Newmann

ObamaCare violates our religious liberty; Planned Parenthood takes our taxpayer dollars for its abortion business; and atheists are removing Christianity from America. Get your armour on for this satanic battle is here in our backyard.

Come, Holy Spirit, and renew the face of the earth through me. Fill me with Your life and Your grace, that my soul may be sanctified. Increase in me the gift of holy wisdom, that I may use wisely the gifts You have given me. Increase in me the gift of understanding, that I may hear and respond to Your call. Increase in me the gift of Your good counsel, that I may always follow God's will. Increase in me the gift of knowledge, that I may grow in holiness by knowing God and myself more fully. Increase in me the gift of love, that I may serve as Christ's hands and feet and voice sharing Your love with everyone I meet today. Come, Holy Spirit! Renew the face of the earth through me! Amen.

Consecrate Yourself to MaryUsing the Consecration Prayerof St. Louis-Marie de Montfort

I, (Name), a faithless sinner, renew and ratify today in your hands the vows of my Baptism; I renounce forever Satan, his pomps and works; and I give myself entirely to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Wisdom, to carry my cross after Him all the days of my life, and to be more faithful to Him than I have ever been before.

In the presence of all the heavenly court I choose you this day for my Mother and Queen. I deliver and consecrate to you, as your slave, my body and soul, my goods, both interior and exterior, and even the value of all my good actions, past, present and future; leaving to you the entire and full right of disposing of me, and all that belongs to me, without exception, according to your good pleasure, for the greater glory of God, in time and in eternity.

Our Lady of All NationsLord Jesus Christ, Son of the Father,Send now Your Spirit over the world;Let the Holy Spirit live in the Hearts of All Nations,That they may be preserved from degeneration, disaster, and war;May the Lady of All Nations, the Blessed Virgin Mary,Be our Advocate. AmenSeptember 20, 1951Bury me on my head for one day this world will be upside down." (Diogenes)

PRAYER FOR PRIESTSO Jesus, Eternal Priest, keep your priests within the shelter of your sacred heart, where none may touch them.Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch your sacred body.Keep unsullied their lips, daily purpled with your precious blood.Keep pure and unearthly their hearts, sealed with the sublime mark of your priesthood.Let your holy love surround them, and shield them from the world’s contagion.Bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here on earth, and in heaven, their everlasting crown.Mary, Mother of Priests, pray for priests and vocations to the priesthood.– St. Therese of LisieuxQuote to live by:"Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you, all things are passing, God is unchanging. Patience gains all; nothing is lacking to those who have God: God alone is sufficient."- St. Teresa of Avila "Anyone who wishes to frolic with the devil, cannot rejoice with Christ." -St. Peter ChrysologusPrayer for Priests

O my Jesus, I beg You on behalf of the whole Church:grant it love and the light of Your Spirit,and give power to the words of priestsso that hardened hearts might be brought to repentanceand return to You, O Lord.

Lord, give us holy priests;You Yourself maintain them in holiness.O divine an Great High Priest,may the power of Your mercy accompany them everywhereand protect them from the devil's traps and snareswhich are continually being set for the souls for priests.May the power of Your mercy, O Lord, shatter and bring to naughtall that might tarnish the sanctity of priests,for You can do all things.AMEN.